Best Flooring for Small Spaces: The Art of Designing for Small Rooms

Small rooms can be a design challenge, but with the right choices, they can feel just as spacious and beautiful as a large room. 

 

The floor you choose is one of the most powerful tools you have to create a sense of openness and visual flow. The best flooring for small spaces is not about the material itself, but about the color, pattern, and installation that can make a room feel larger and more expansive.

 

Whether you're working with a tiny bedroom, a small bathroom, or a narrow entryway, here are some of the best flooring for small rooms to help you make your space feel bigger.

 

Do I Technically Have a “Small Room”?

 

Before we dive into the best flooring types for small rooms, you may be second guessing yourself and thinking, “do I even have a small room? It feels small to me but is it actually small?” 

 

While "small" is a subjective term that can vary from person to person, there are some general guidelines and dimensions that designers and builders use to classify a room's size.

 

A room's size is typically defined by its square footage, and understanding these dimensions can help you make the best flooring and design choices to maximize your space.

 

Yes, if Your Bedroom is 100sqft or Less

 

A small bedroom, for example, is often considered to be around 10 feet by 10 feet, or 100 square feet. This size can comfortably fit a twin or full-size bed with a few other pieces of furniture, but it can feel cramped with a larger bed. 

 

Yes, if Your Living Room or Dining Room is 250sqft or Less

 

A small living room is typically under 250 square feet, averaging around 10 feet by 13 feet, which is best suited for a small family or a few guests. Similarly, small kitchens and bathrooms are generally under 100 square feet.

 

Top Flooring & Design Strategies for Small Spaces

 

Opt for Light Colors

 

Light-colored floors, such as a light-toned hardwood, a white tile, or a pale gray luxury vinyl, can make a room feel more open and airy. Light colors reflect more light, which brightens a room and makes the walls feel like they are receding.

• Tip: If you love dark flooring, pair it with light-colored walls and furniture to create a striking contrast that can make the room feel more spacious.

 

Choose Wide Planks or Large Tiles

 

This may seem counterintuitive, but wider planks and larger tiles are often the best flooring for small rooms. Fewer seams and grout lines create a more continuous and less cluttered look, which helps the eye flow across the room without interruption.

• Tip: For hardwood or laminate, choose planks that are 5 inches wide or more. For tile, opt for large-format tiles that are 12x24 inches or even larger.

 

Go with Consistent Flooring

 

Using the same flooring in adjoining rooms is a fantastic way to create a seamless visual flow that makes both spaces feel larger. When you avoid breaks in the flooring, you eliminate visual barriers that can make a home feel chopped up and smaller.

• Tip: This strategy works especially well in open-concept homes where the kitchen, dining room, and living room all connect.

 

Use Diagonal or Parallel Installation

 

The way you lay your flooring can have a big impact on the perception of space.

• Diagonal Installation:Installing your floor planks or tiles on a diagonal can make a narrow room feel wider and a small room feel more expansive.
• Parallel Installation: Installing your planks parallel to the longest wall in a room will make the space feel longer.

 

Consider a Minimalist Look

 

Busy patterns, high-contrast colors, and intricate designs can make a small room feel cluttered and overwhelming. The best flooring for small spaces is often a simple, clean, and minimalist option. A simple, light-colored floor allows the furniture and decor to be the star of the show.

 

 

Design for Your Space with Beautiful Flooring from Royal Flooring

 

The best flooring for small spaces is not about magic, but about smart design choices. By opting for light colors, wide planks, and a strategic installation, you can create a beautiful and functional space that feels open, airy, and inviting.

 

Call or visit Royal Flooring at our Urbandale, IA showroom or our Des Moines, IA warehouse. For 20 years Royal Flooring has proudly served the Des Moines Metro. Known for high quality products, installation and top-of-the-line customer service, we're confident that we'll fit right in.

Veteran owned and operated, we have expertise, knowledge and professionalism to offer anyone walking through our doors. Along with our passion for this industry, hard work and grit have propelled us to where we are today. Going the extra mile for our customers is what we do best, and we firmly believe in taking care of customers through the finish line.